jb79

Hi,

I've got the reboot problem with my European F900BT again (after some years now). I downloaded the files that were posted some pages ago.

First I tried to update WINCE, it looks good but when it said reboot I did that and  only get my boot-logo and after some seconds a black screen.

I tried to copy all files for the testmode on the sd card but it didn't boot into test mode.

Any ideas how to bring the F900BT back to life?

My map version was 1.xxx and my system version 2.0001 I think.

So the last file is online, the last one took some time because I was at work and all filesharing websites are blocked there.

The real hero is konik, he sent me the files, I only recompressed them with the other .DEM file an a .POI file. They were corrupt in the archives from konik and he sent me additonal archives with this two files.

Does anybody have software to edit textfiles direct in the F900BT test mode?

Something like notepad would be great, because it would be easier than removing SD card, edit it on the Laptop/PC and insert it back again...

I'm just compressing and uploading the files I got from konik because there were problems with 2 files in the original archives I got from him.

There are also a few modifications I don't exactly know (I think only the voice played when pressing the button). I also allready included 2 additional mods (Tap Compass to Cancel Route & Add Voice Guidance Mute Button).

I hope you all have a download flatrate because the files are about 1,6GB together. You can download them there. 17 files, but my upload speed is very low. So be patient, the rest will appear during ths day.

Additional Info: Maybe you have to rename APL2\iGo\CONTENT\DEM\Europe_NASA.dem to WesternEurope.dem

Were you able to install the older WinCE image files? Did you maybe used the 1st option (with format)?

Then you have the same problem as I had on Friday (I did exactly the same as you). The only difference is: I've got the european version of the F900BT (bought it with my car in Austria), but I think there are no big software differences and the unit should work similar. The format option deletes every file in the unit except the files needed for booting. So you are only able to get into test mode (with SD card and testmode files on it).

To restore your unit you have to get a complete backup of the files (about 1,4GB), copy them to a SD card, together with the test mode files. After that you boot into test mode, copy all the orders to your device and it will work again. That's what I did this weekend.

So finally the problem is solved by the great help of konick, he gave me a backup of a European F900BT (1,4GB).

I allready did two mods (Tap Compass to Cancel Route & Add Voice Guidance Mute Button), the test drive was also fine, I think everything is running.

Thanks for the help!

Something got wrong with the Russian files.

First it looks good and there is the bootscreen with my boot-picture. Then the main-screen appears but with an unreadable error message in the bottom (in russian).

I'm able to get into the music selection and play the radio, but no music from the CF card is played.

I didn't test the navigation because the error message covers the ok button from the navi's warning message.

That doesn't look good. There is one chance, I've got. I'll try to find somebody in my area with firmware version <= 2.005 to download the files from this radio and upload them to mine.

No I go to bed and hope my wife won't kill me because of the bad news.

Ok I'll try when I get the download (I don't have premium accounts at the download pages, so it takes a while to get all the files).

The thing I tried in the last minutes (map file and the hacked ezraider) doesn't work. I believe some software is still missing to get back a working F900BT

Thanks for the hint!

I allready found the solution for the "testmode problem" 2 hours ago, but thanks for your help.

OK I found a patched ezrider there and I'm just downloading it.

The rest of the files (part3/4 of the rar archive) will take some time. I'll try it with the Austrian map and the pathed ezrider in a few minutes.

I'll post again when I've finished with the map and ezrider, but maybe I need the rar archive too.

Thanks for your help!

You're right, I don't have a backup of myflash.

When I get into testmode there are allready directories with the rest of the files needed to start the F900BT. But there is no map directory at MYFLASH\APL2\IGO\CONTENT\MAP.

I hope the files will work with the European version, because I live in Vienna (Austria) and my wife will kill me if it doesn't work tomorrow, because the unit is in her car.

Where can I download the maps that I need? I'd need Central Europe.

What happend: I installed 2.007 and then found out that there is no testmode to do modifications. More detailled information what I did.

So I reinstalled the old CPE Files with the Format Option. After that I had to reinstall the complete firmware, but now DATA and MAP is missing. It looks like in this picture but there is no version info at DATA and MAP.

I finally managed to get 2.005 on back on the F900BT and the testmode working.

But now I have no idea how to install the things that are missing.

Can anybody tell me, what directories I should copy, or what I've got to do now?

So, I've just tried option 1, but when I want to enter the testmode there is only an error message and no test mode.

So I inserted a flash card with 2.007 and got back the actual CE version.

Now I did something stupid I think: fallback again with the older CE image files, but this time with "format".

After finishing this, the F900 only shows the startup picture and then a black screen.

After inserting the card with the 2.007 version (modified files) there is a message that the data.zip file is wrong.

The version infos at the top show no actual firmware, so the F900 might be empty. At the moment I copy the files from 2.005 (modified) to the flash card and hope to get my F900 back into life.

Edit: Damn, the 2.005 modified files also cause an error message with data.zip. The original 2.005 installs, but without DATA and MAP, it seems they are missing.

The testmode also doesn't work. I get the following error message:

MapDBInfo: 0x1000 <=> Device 0x0010

AU: 0x0001

EW: 0x010

RF: 0x0100

UX: 0x1000

Does anybody know how to reinstall "MAP" und "DATA" data without test mode?

I will now try it with Firmware 1.9, there were changes at the MAP data, so this version might install the maps again.

Edit2:

Ok, I got the testmode running, that thread helps me. But now there are some problems I can't manage by my own, so I opened a new thread for my special problem, that can be found here.

Another question about the upgrade:

I allready upgrades to 2.007 yesterday and now I found this thread with the bad news.

What I want to do is to install some software hacks described in the Wiki, but to do this I think I would need the test mode or another possibility to force the F900 to install the modified files.

If I understand all the information correctly, I've to apply konick's hack to get the old version of WinCE back on the F900. Then there might be 2 possibilities:

1.) Getting into test mode and copy only the files needed for the software hack

2.) Copy the LPUE080 folder with the modified files to the flash card and let the unit do the upgrade again to get the original 2.007 working with some mods

I'm not sure if the second version will work but if it does, I'll use this one because I've never used the testmode.

Hello!

This night I found a thread that contains a link to the service manual with all the schematics and other things. Maybe you can fix your problem with this manual:

Thread with servicemanual (about 21,7MB)

Good luck!

Yes, that's clear but when the Radio is on the current will flow through the diode that also causes about 0,4-0,5Vand the Avic-F900BT/F700BT can take up to 10A from the 12V line. That would result in up to 4-5W at the diode.

Joe's circuit looks very interesting, but I think the voltage drop caused by a Schottkydiode still is about 0,4-0,5V and that would result in some watts of heat when the F900BT needs some power. I also don't like the idea of having a additional battery located somewhere under the instrument panel. - It can cause a shortage or run out, two things that are not very funny in a car.

@paQ: I think a lot of new cars (especially the ones with a CAN BUS or something similar) here in Europe switch off the headlights during the engine start, my Opel Corsa does this too.

I think I have to measure the permanent voltage at the F900BT during the engine start, but maybe it is also affected by switching off the power.

I just found something that would fit perfectly with some litte modifications:

Switch-Off delay, the 3rd schematic on the page.

S1 will be the ignition switch, the radio (ACC in) should be at point A.

Modification 1:

The relais contact KX will be connected to 12V, not to S1.

Modification 2:

The value of C1 is to high. The delay would be 53s with the original value of 0,47µF, that's also the time the radio will play after switching the ignition off. I think 0,047µF will be enough, that should be about 5,3s delay. - Time to start the engine and short enough to switch it off before you leave the car.

Has anybody allready done a mod for the ignition signal?

I mean when you turn the ignition on (without starting the engine) maybe to set up a new target for the navigation and after that you start the engine it will result in a reboot of the F900BT.

I've heared about a mod with a diode an electrolytic capacitor to keep the voltage on the ACC input high enough during the engine start to prevent the F900BT from rebooting. But I do't know what capacity would be needed and what current there is on the ACC line.

Could somebody give me more information or do I have to test it by myself?

Hello everybody out there!

I've just registered here because I've been reading in this forum for some time as a guest.

I'm from Austria and own a Opel Corsa Limited Edition (here in Austra known as Black & White edition) since Nov. 2008. The car came with the Pioneer Avic F900BT preinstalled by Opel, there were also a CAN Bus adapter (for the steering wheel controls) and an Ipod adapter built in.

I allready did some modifications to the wireing (ACC line with switch to ignition, off or permanent power and cable for park brake to ground by another switch ).

I want to do some aditional things I could read here, for example the button for turning off navigation by a single touch on the screen and some other things.

Some pictures of the car can be found here